Pass Coverage Orakpo's vulnerability?

[BurgundyandGoldfaith]

I was just watching the Redskins.com Raiders Preview and disturbingly, the commentator described Orakpo's pass coverage as a vulnerablity. Prior to the season I felt uneasy about the switch to Linebacker but thus far, be it for execution or chance, Orakpo hasn't made any monumental errors covering TE's that I can recall.

Against the pass, has he been a success, mediocre, or has be been a vulnerability?

What is your solution to this situation?

Does anyone else think it's ignorant to put comments like that on the team's website?

[BurgundyandGoldfaith]

So far, it looks like Orakpo has been fairly solid against the pass but I think the team suprisingly suffers with him against the run. It doesn't feel like we gave up this many long runs last year with Marcus Washington playing part time. I think we should get a true strong side linebacker and let Orakpo terrorize the QB all game. I don't buy into the talk about him not lasting through games and seasons because he is underweight for DE. Lots of players do it at his weight around the league, and if he's covering TE's he's wasting alot of energy running anyway.

[SkinsJock]

Our defense overall will improve with better coaching - the front 7 has not been as effective as we all would like but I blame the defensive co-ordinator and the defensive line coach for a lot of that - I think that Jarmon and Orakpo will benefit from a year here but I look for both of them to have a much better year next year under different coaches

I also wonder if perhaps not practicing against a really great offensive line leads to some 'issues' as well

[CanesSkins26]

Bottom line is that he is playing out of position. He is a special defensive end. He is a mediocre linebacker.

[frankcal20]

Easy - He should be a DE our an outside linebacker if we switch to the 3-4 with a new coach (i doubt). He's fine enough in coverage.

[CanesSkins26]

Easy - He should be a DE our an outside linebacker if we switch to the 3-4 with a new coach (i doubt). He's fine enough in coverage.

The problem with that is that you shouldn't be using a top 10 pick at a position that he is "fine" at. Orakpo is at his best with his hand on the ground and that is where he should be playing. Unfortunately, Vinny, who is an idiot and didn't draft a SAM, and Blache, who isn't all that great either, seem to have a different idea.

[brad7686]

So far, it looks like Orakpo has been fairly solid against the pass but I think the team suprisingly suffers with him against the run. It doesn't feel like we gave up this many long runs last year with Marcus Washington playing part time. I think we should get a true strong side linebacker and let Orakpo terrorize the QB all game. I don't buy into the talk about him not lasting through games and seasons because he is underweight for DE. Lots of players do it at his weight around the league, and if he's covering TE's he's wasting alot of energy running anyway.

Yea, of the guys his size that wear down at DE, he is by far the strongest.

[Paralis]

The problem with moving Orakpo to DE full time is that it forces the Skins to move another good player to the bench. He's not great in coverage, but he's a rookie playing out of position, and even given that he's not some huge liability that's keeping the Skins out of the playoffs

There's really no reason to think he can't improve, and there's nowhere else to put him in the meantime until Carter starts to wear down.

[crazyhorse1]

Bottom line is that he is playing out of position. He is a special defensive end. He is a mediocre linebacker.

I think he's just taking up space as a linenback. His tackle count is very low and there have been a number of long runs around his side. He needs to be on the line, full time.

[crazyhorse1]

The problem with moving Orakpo to DE full time is that it forces the Skins to move another good player to the bench. He's not great in coverage, but he's a rookie playing out of position, and even given that he's not some huge liability that's keeping the Skins out of the playoffs

There's really no reason to think he can't improve, and there's nowhere else to put him in the meantime until Carter starts to wear down.

Nonsense, Daniels should be replaced at once. He's through. Orakpo is the perfect replacement.

[VetSkinsFan]

The problem with moving Orakpo to DE full time is that it forces the Skins to move another good player to the bench. He's not great in coverage, but he's a rookie playing out of position, and even given that he's not some huge liability that's keeping the Skins out of the playoffs

There's really no reason to think he can't improve, and there's nowhere else to put him in the meantime until Carter starts to wear down.

Nonsense, Daniels should be replaced at once. He's through. Orakpo is the perfect replacement.

With Fat Al in and out, Daniels rotates at DT. Orakpo finishes at DE. Blades or whoever else we have plays SLB. Give Henson or Bowen to play SLB. If Orakpo isn't the future at DE, then I don't know what to say.

[fresh1120]

he's most effective when his hand is in the dirt....why complicate it more than that

[roybus14]

The problem with moving Orakpo to DE full time is that it forces the Skins to move another good player to the bench. He's not great in coverage, but he's a rookie playing out of position, and even given that he's not some huge liability that's keeping the Skins out of the playoffs

There's really no reason to think he can't improve, and there's nowhere else to put him in the meantime until Carter starts to wear down.

I would bet on that and move him to DE. What "good player" would go to the bench?? Daniels?? It would actually preserve Daniels if he did go to the bench. It would also allow you to come with a pass rush set of Carter, Griffin or Goldston, Daniels when Fat Albert is out, and Orakpo. That's speed and slimmer power up the middle with Daniels in Fat's spot.
You don't just sit a player on the bench. You find a way to use him but Orakpo needs to be next to Fat Albert.

The only reason why Brian's vulnerability has not been fully exposed is because our corners and safeties have bit on the "double move" so much that teams don't need to use their TE's extensively against him. Coverage is his liability. It just hasn't been exposed yet. The kid belongs on his "KNUCKLES" period. He's a once every several draft's find at DE that you have to take advantage of his skills. You can run him and Carter at the same time. Where you need to improve is in the SLB spot. you put a solid guy there and a solid youngin behind London (because he's getting old and time eventually catches up), then run support is there until Brian get's better at it.

Now, with 11 sacks all coming from the DE position, I don't know why the "clue" light hasn't come on for Blache and crew about this kid. It's about making the best out of what you got and I think that this kid needs to be where he is a natural. His body will fill out and he will get stronger against the run, but look at Jared Allen, Freeney & Mathis, Kearse, Peppers, etc. They all have filled out and have become the beasts they are in their positions because their teams stuck with them there.